I am a beginner (2nd season) and am thinking of buying a new board (been using OLD OLD boards my brother gave me). I don't think I am the park type; mostly into powder and speed. I really like the Jones Hovercraft from the reviews and from the simplicity of its form. Questions: should I get the Jones Hovercraft while I am still learning? Since I am still learning I will most like stick to the East Coast packed-snow hills - would riding a hovercraft look funny and out of place? The shortest Jones Hovercraft seems to be 152, I'm 5'6", 140 lbs so I assume that would be the size I should go for. Opinions?

Yes riding the Hovercraft would look silly and be silly. You are on hardpack all year. Get a regular cambered board (no backpack, ice axe, or GoPro) and learn to ride. Great boards for over here if you're starting out, Burton Custom, Rome Agent, Rome Reverb (on sale at Evo $190) Nitro Team, there are a lot of options, but a powder board shouldn't be one.

The Hovercraft is a great powder stick, but it's not the board you want.

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